Phase 3 Data Recovery, Cultural Resource Management Survey, Highway Program, Lindesay Site (SUBi-1705, NYSM #10316), PIN 5002.07.321, MCD 06308, NY 18F, Town of Porter, Niagara County

Summary

The Lindesay Site overlooks the Lower Niagara River. The Lindesay Site occurs on a relatively undisturbed upland landscape. The soils are characterized by a strong degree of profile development indicative of their age. The site occurs on mature upland soils with little or no disturbance from plowing. Extensive testing for the PIN 5002.07.321 project encountered four other sites (Lewiston I, II, III, and Stella Niagara) in the vicinity of the Lindesay Site. Lewiston II and III were located just south and north of the Lindesay Site. Site exams conducted at these sites recovered diagnostic artifacts. This work indicates that the area along NY 18F was recurrently occupied over a long period, possibly in relationship to the site area’s use as a transportation artery.

The site was tested through a series of STPs and 1x1 m (3.3 x 3.3 ft) units through the stages of excavation. The excavations covered 15.9% of the entire site with intensity varying between 2.5-45% of individual site clusters. The excavation units contained an A horizon that varied in depth to 63 cm (25 in), with an average depth of 37 cm (14.5 in), and an E horizon with depths ranging from 15-75 cm (6-30 in), with an average thickness of 39 cm (15 in).

Archaeologists recovered 4750 pieces of lithic debitage, 324 expedient tools (utilized flakes), 1930 pieces of fire-cracked rock, and 938 fragments of pottery representing 22 vessels. In addition, 23 features were investigated, including hearths and post molds. The Lindesay Site is a multi-component site with Late Archaic, Early Woodland and Late Woodland Components. Due to bioturbation, there is no vertical stratification at the site. There is some horizontal stratification. Site Area BC has several overlapping hearth features which date to about the same time period. Site Area C has Late Archaic and Early Woodland components. The distribution of artifacts and components over the site area indicates that the site was recurrently occupied over an extended period, perhaps the last 11,000 years. Most of the scattered lithic evidence seems to be indicative of small ephemeral camps, perhaps associated with the transportation route. Site Area BC is a resource processing site, with extensive evidence of the manufacture of expedient tools and the processing of marine resources.

The Lindesay Site is a part of a series of sites adjacent to a transportation route used from prehistory to the present. The site is eligible for the National Register. The site represents recurrent occupation over an extended period of time. The site was to be impacted by the construction of a pedestrian walkway. The excavation examined 126 m² (15.9%) of the entire site within the project boundaries (4 x 265 m). An end of field letter was submitted in 1999 following completion of fieldwork, stating that no work was recommended on the site and was accepted by the New York State Historic Preservation Officer.

This Resource is Part of the Following Collections

• Niagara County   •
• New York State Museum and the Public Archaeology Facility, Binghamton University Archaeological Collection

Keywords

Temporal Coverage

Radiocarbon Date: 2760 to 2360 (Cal BP)

Radiocarbon Date: 540 to 490 (Cal BP)

Radiocarbon Date: 500 to 300 (Cal BP)

Spatial Coverage

Individual & Institutional Roles

Contact(s): Nina Versaggi

Contributor(s): Nancy Asch Sidell; Samuel M. Kudrle; Public Archaeology Facility, Binghamton University; GAI Consultants, Inc.; David L. Cremeens; Beta Analytic, Inc.

Sponsor(s): New York State Department of Transportation; Federal Highway Administration

Repository(s): Public Archaeology Facility, Binghamton University

Submitted To(s): New York State Museum; New York State Education Department

Record Identifiers

MCD(s): 06308

PIN(s): 5002.07.321

File Information